The Oaxaca Region

By: Ka`eo Kealoha-Lindsey

General Information

• The name “Oaxaca” came from the Nahuatl word “Huaxyacac” roughly meaning “at the top of the gourd.”

• Average altitude in the state is about 5000 feet about sea level

Pre-Colombian History• The region of Oaxaca was occupied by 16 different

cultures, each with their on separate language, customs, and traditions. The Zapotecs and the Mixtecs were by far the largest and most sophisticated.

• The earliest settlement known is San José Mogote, a Zapotec village dating back to around 1500 BC. It was also the largest and turned out to be the most important during that time

• This settlement was probably the first to use pottery, the first evidence of Zapotec writing systems were found there (600 BC), and irrigation was used (500 BC). Also, the first ceremonial buildings

Pre-Colombian History (Continued)

• Around 450 BC the Zapotecs settled in a new area now called Monte Albán. At it’s peak, there were as estimated 18,000 residents living there, making it one of the most populated areas at that time.

• The current capital of Oaxaca, Oaxaca city, is located about 6 miles away from the site of Monte Albán.

• The Mixtecs migrated to Oaxaca at around 700 AD and became powerful quickly. They build large cities such as Tilantongo and conquered the Zapotecs near the year 1300

• The Aztecs settled in the 15th century. Not much changed with their arrival except an increase in trade to Tenochtitlán.

Colonial Period• In 1521, Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztecs• He sent out Francisco de Orozco and he later took

over the Valley of Oaxaca for Cortés.• During the Spanish rule, a hierarchy of people

prevented Native Mexicans from taking any political roles

• Oaxaca was also one of the leaders in the to free Mexico from Spanish rule

• For example: Valerio Trujano lasted 111 days in fighting until more weapons were brought to him and he was able to win the battle.

Oaxaca Today• Today Oaxaca is a state in Mexico on the southern end of the

country• It is the fifth largest state with a population of about 3.5 million• Also the state with more indigenous speakers than any other ones

in Mexico. In the 2000 census, about 37% of the total state population spoke an indigenous language

• Known for pottery which has been used by the Zapotec people. Also known for art with over 500,000 artists in the state

• Oaxaca is famous for it’s cuisine and is known as “The Land of the Seven Moles,” having one mole for each main region in the state

• Other Oaxacan specialties include chapulines (grasshoppers) which are eaten after the the rainy season starts until fall and huevos oaxaqueños, which is a breakfast food made of poached eggs in a chili tomato soup.

Oaxaca Today (Continued)• Another famous food/drink item from Oaxaca is Mezcal,

which is similar to tequila.• Some big holidays in Oaxaca inclue Día de Los Muertos

(Day of the Dead) and Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes

• The main industry is tourism because of the 155 miles of beach around the state.

• In 2006, a huge series of protest broke out due to the accusations of fraud on the governor, Ulisis Ruiz.

Famous People from Oaxaca• The two main famous people from

Oaxaca are Porfirio Díaz and Benito Juárez

• Benito Juárez was the first President of Mexico with a Native Mexican decent. He served from 1858-1872

• Porfirio Díaz was the president/dictator of Mexico who ruled from 1876-1880 and from 1884-1911

People of Oaxaca• The main 16 indigenous ethnic group

are still in tact and make up a large number of the population. Some don’t even speak Spanish.

• About 85% of the people in Oaxaca are Catholic

Pictures (because the animation didn’t work for me)

Monte Albán

Puerto Escondito Beach

Location of Oaxaca and Map of Oaxaca

Basilica de Nuestra Señora

¡The End!